A big part of my job is figuring out how to recycle more plastic.
Happily, I just participated in a study in Chicago that found that 80% of materials previously destined for landfills – including plastic – can be recycled. By implementing the findings of this study, I’m optimistic that communities across our nation can increase recycling rates, reduce costs, and improve sustainability.
Quick background…
Recycling facilities typically sort items into streams of discreet materials for sale and re-manufacturing: aluminum cans, rigid plastic containers, cardboard, etc. But many of today’s recycling facilities do not have the equipment or technology to sort all the different kinds of plastic items they receive. These facilities can sort plastic bottles and containers fairly easily. But they often cannot sort some of the newer, lightweight plastic items (films, tubes, foams, etc.) into separate, saleable streams. So, these non-recycled items can wind up in landfills.
The Chicago study demonstrated an innovative method to recycle most of this non-recycled material.
It goes by a very exciting term: secondary sortation.
What Is Secondary Sortation?
Secondary sortation refers to collecting and sending non-recycled material to a special facility that can sort it for recycling.
Here’s how secondary sortation works.
- Local recycling facilities gather leftover material that they’re unable to process.
- Trucks pick up this material from multiple recycling facilities and deliver it to a secondary sortation facility.
- The secondary sortation facility uses multiple, often newer technologies to efficiently sort the mixed material into discreet recyclable streams (e.g., paper, individual types of plastic, cartons, etc.).
- These recyclables are sold to companies that reprocess them into material for reuse in making new products, closing the recycling loop.
So… many of the plastic items and other material that would have been destined for landfills can often be recycled through secondary sortation.
NOTE: Today very few recycling facilities have access to secondary sortation. We’re hoping that will change! As always, please remember to follow your community recycling program’s guidance on what is recyclable in your area.
Secondary Sortation Pilot Project
The concept of secondary sortation is not completely new.
Related studies have been done in California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northeast. And the consulting firm McKinsey Company outlined the opportunity to create secondary sortation facilities they call “FPFs” (feedstock preparation facilities) that can “aggregate and upgrade” used plastic to increase their quality for recyclers.
For the Chicago project, Circular Great Lakes collaborated in 2024 with multiple businesses/organizations on a secondary sortation pilot program. This project demonstrated just how large a percentage of non-recycled plastic (and other) material can be successfully diverted from landfills and recycled. And it also found significant contributions to sustainability.
Benefits of Secondary Sortation
As I noted above, the project’s findings (Report) are cause for optimism.
- Of the material collected at local recycling facilities that is not typically recycled, about 80% can be sorted into recyclable streams.
- 42% of this recyclable material can be recycled using existing markets for recyclable plastic, paper and other materials.
- And here’s the kicker: due to burgeoning new technologies, today 38% of this recyclable material is suitable for advanced or “chemical” recycling of plastic or other emerging end markets. Prior to development of these advanced technologies, much of this non-recycled plastic had few or no recycling markets. Advanced technologies have helped create new markets that can divert much more plastic from landfills for recycling.
BTW: In addition to plastic, this project found that significant amounts of additional non-recycled paper could be sorted and recycled.
MAJOR FINDING: Secondary sortation can increase the amount of plastic and other material that communities can recycle.
And there are additional benefits of secondary sortation.
- Recycling these previously unrecycled plastic and other materials significantly reduces carbon emissions (see various figures in the Report).
- Secondary sortation facilities improve efficiency and reduce costs associated with sorting and recycling lower volume, hard-to-sort materials.
- Recycling resulting to secondary sortation diverts material from landfills, potentially extending the life of local landfills and reducing costs associated with “tipping fees” and hauling trash long distances.
MAJOR FINDING: Secondary sortation can improve sustainability and reduce community costs.
What’s Next for Secondary Sortation?
The organizations collaborating on this project are developing a detailed business plan with the hopes of engaging communities in a secondary sortation network that encompasses the Great Lakes Region. By combining strategic collaboration and investment, secondary sortation appears poised to advance plastic recycling in the region. And hopefully beyond.
As I said, I’m optimistic that communities across our nation can increase recycling rates, reduce costs, and improve sustainability.
Just part of my job…
Contact Shari Jackson at [email protected]
